The Favor



The music was enough to make anyone get up on their feet. The people of all ages moved to the beat all over the dance floor. Everywhere you turned, there were huge smiles and laughter. This is how Rianna spent almost every night, in her father’s Latin nightclub which she and her siblings ran for him.

She spotted a man sitting in his seat sipping from his glass. He watched silently as all the couples danced around having fun. She couldn’t help herself and went right over to him, holding out her hand.

“No, yo no bailo. I don’t dance.” He hollered over the music. Rianna paid him no attention and continued to pull him onto the floor. The crowd gave her and her partner space, knowing how flamboyant Rianna was with her dancing.

She took his hand and twirled herself into his arms. The stranger couldn’t refuse the beautiful woman and allowed himself to follow her lead. Rianna waited for the DJ to change the music to something more sensual, then her magic began.

Rianna had a way of making a spontaneous dance appear well planned and choreographed. Not to mention the fact that the man she was dancing with had no previous experience whatsoever.

Dancing for 20 minutes or so tired her partner out. He kissed her hand and thanked her. For after they danced, single women flocked to him, charmed by his so-called "skills" on the floor.

“Hey sis, you got a call.” Jimmy called to her. She said that she’d take it in her office. On her way there, she greeted the cooks and waitresses.

“Hola?” She asked, putting the phone to her ear once she got to her office.

“Hey Rianna, this is Fatima. Listen, I need to ask a huge favor of you.”

“Sure girl, what’s up?” Rianna sat down at her desk and propped up her feet.

“I got a call yesterday. Another choreography job for a group I’ve worked with before. They want me to come up with something for this last minute remix to a song. And I would, but my baby’s sick and I can’t be away from home right now.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. So I guess you want me to cover your ass again.”

“Would you?” Rianna smiled at Fatima’s response.

“Say no more, I’ll do whatever it takes.” Rianna pulled out a legal pad and pen. Then she jotted down the address and time they needed her there. She also got the title of the song they needed moves for.

After hanging up she ripped the paper from the pad and put it into her back pocket. She glanced at the clock. It was almost 3. Closing time. People were finishing their drinks and tipping the cute waitresses. Rianna’s twin brother, Jimmy escorted the inebriated patrons out to the street and made sure each had a sober driver home.

Rianna put her things together and locked up her office. Jimmy was just coming in from outside. She signaled that she needed him.

“Jim, is that the DJ you hire recently?” He nodded proudly, then sat on a stool at the bar.

“His name’s Martín. I met him on campus. He’s pretty cool, eh?” Rianna shrugged and waited for him to walk by.

“Hey Martín. I need to know if you have this song handy.” She reached into her pocket and read him the title.

“You’re in luck, got it in my car. Has a nice beat to it.” Jimmy raised his eyebrows. He wasn’t one for pop music. Rianna smiled. She knew that she wouldn’t feel like running out to pick it up the next day. She followed him to his car and got the CD. It was a single, the remix to “The Call” that was not on the Black and Blue CD.

“Thanks a lot man.” Rianna smiled and Martín melted.

“Anytime boss lady.” He watched her walk away, focusing mainly on her butt concealed in tight blue jeans.



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